miercuri, 20 mai 2015

Mass and space combine in a perforated, weathered steel structure

Mass and space combine together in a perforated, weathered steel (Cor-Ten™) structure that creates and sets clear boundaries for the ‘In Praise of Shadows’ house by Pitsou Kedem Architects. The structure regulates the amount of sunlight penetrating the building’s spaces and controls the angle of sight both into and from the building whist creating a controlled, visual dialogue between the inside and the outside. The structure is constructed from layers and areas. The central area which is the central space, the residential area which centers around a double, communal living space and the external area, the weathered steel structure which defines a border and area for the building whilst creating new, intermediary areas that combine the inside and the outside.

The building is constructed of exposed concrete walls, large and inanimate and, without the movement of light and shade, they appear almost monastic. The shade and shadows moving across the building’s surfaces create a dynamic drama that makes the entire mass seem to be alive and full of movement. Sometimes the shadows and shade create repeating geometric shapes that sometimes stretch the entire length of the wall and sometimes creating unique blends of color and depth on the grey walls.